Man having psychotic episode caused €1,300 worth of damage, Carlow court hears
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A MAN who suffers from mental health problems pleaded guilty at Carlow District Court to causing €1,300 worth of damage to properties in Tullow.
Saddam Qasim Meqdadi with an address at The Irish Bar Hostel, Tullow pleaded guilty to four counts of causing criminal damage on St Stephen’s Day, 26 December, last year. The charges included three that occurred on Church Street and a fourth on Market Square.
Insp David Shore told the court that CCTV footage showed Mr Meqdadi (34) smashing a window at the former Bank of Ireland building with a fire extinguisher and that he had caused a total of €1,300 worth of damages there and to various properties. He continued that the defendant made admissions to gardaí and was brought to the Department of Psychiatry at St Luke’s Hospital, where he stayed for a number of weeks.
Solicitor John O’Sullivan told Judge Cephas Power that the owners of the hostel had compensated the injured parties and his client was going through a psychotic episode at the time of the incidents. He continued that it was a “very sad and very serious matter” because Mr Meqdadi suffered from mental health issues and had been off his medication at the time. He added that his client is now back taking his medication and that he has good support to help him.
Judge Power sentenced Mr Meqdadi to six months’ imprisonment but suspended it fully for six months, noting that the defendant had “engaged in behaviour when he was not treated as he should have been treated”. He ordered Mr Meqdadi to continue taking his medication and to be of good behaviour.
